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Ferguson will spend in January

08/11/2005

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that he will be trying to sign new players when the January transfer window opens.

The Reds ended Chelsea's unbeaten league run of 40 games at Old Trafford on Sunday, much the same as they did 12 months ago when they ended Arsenal's landmark stretch of 49 games without defeat.

However, victory on Sunday fails to mask the problems United have had this season, where injuries to key players has resulted in a drop in form which saw them humbled 4-1 by Middlesbrough and 1-0 by Lille in their two preceding games.

"What I will be looking to do is increase the squad in January as we're lacking numbers," Ferguson said.

"I'm happy with the quality we have but we're relying too much on our younger players at a time when we're missing the experience of Roy Keane, Gary Neville and Gabriel Heinze."

However, Ferguson's options will be limited as he will look to avoid players that have already competed in the Champions League, thereby avoiding the possibility of them being cup-tied for United's European quest.

"You have to dismiss the possibility of getting players from clubs who think they can still win the Champions League," Ferguson added.

This would rule out a January move for unsettled Bayern Munich midfielder Michael Ballack, a long-term transfer target who has been told to sign a new contract or move in the new year by the German club.

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